Lightning Detection Network Upgraded  

Vaisala (Finland) has introduced a new feature to its National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN)® that will provide customers with lightning information within 15 seconds, or in half the time than was previously possible. This network improvement makes the NLDN® the fastest and most reliable lightning prediction technology available in the market.

The latency improvements will lead to better forecasts, safety measures and operational efficiency for Vaisala’s customers which include the National Weather Service, various airports and air traffic controllers, the U.S. Air Force Weather Agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) among others.

"To a large extent our customers’ preparedness at ensuring human safety, property protection and risk management depends on the speed and accuracy with which we provide data on active lightning. With the new feature, our customers will gain precious seconds to take planned precautions against the threat of severe weather conditions," says Nikki Hembury, Product Manager of NLDN® in Vaisala. "We have upgraded our satellite technology and algorithm processing settings to be able to reduce the delivery time without compromising on our quality and precision."

In addition to offering faster real time lightning data feed, the NLDN® will continue providing archival data to its customers such as power utility companies who need to analyze historical lightning data before deciding on new power line construction. The archival data also helps customers examine specific lightning incidents more comprehensively, covering large areas over days or weeks.